From the desktop to mobile devices, Free Software is competing against proprietary software in many arenas, but some users of modern technology, sometimes for reasons outside of their control may have to choose a non-free software solution, even if a free software equivalent is available.

When I started using BLAG, I was satisfied knowing that I was using a distro that supported Free Software and begin looking for phones(i.e FreeRunner), internet tablets (i.e Nokia N810)and other computer components (i.e motherboards with which a free bios could be installed)and electronic peripherals (i.e GPS)to fulfill the same desire. While some devices fully supported what I was looking for, others only did parially or still had proprietary software that I was not happy with, but there are communities out there dedicating to ensuring these devices are not locking the user out and providing the freedoms that should have.

Generally, I think those communities are working in the same spirit as this distro and its with our feedback, they can to achieve in providing Free Software devices that meet our expectations or set of standards that we are happy with.

My goal here is to have a discussion of what non-free software are people using on their desktop, whether using WINE to run it or having to dualboot with Windows that you are not able to use a Free Software equivalent. As I understand for some, an application may not exist or specific features of an existing free software equivalent may have been implemented which could cause compatibility issues. In having this discussion, I am hoping that people can discuss ways they've successfully used Free Software to completely transition from non-free application(s) they have been using, find ways in contributing to the specific project that is working on the Free Software equivalent and if these Free Software applications have not been previously in the blag repository that we can begin making sure they come available in future releases.

I admit I use the Nvidia drivers for my card. Otherwise it's potential is wasted on my desktop. My laptop is fine, uses intel graphics. And I also installed Rar for the purpose of reading and repacking my digital comics (.cbr and .cbz). Other than that, I can get by with Free Software quite nicely. Very little i cant work around. :)

Actually , thinking more, I do use wine to run Irfanview, and DVDShrink/DVDDecryptor. Irfanview is just too handy, so much I grew used to for over a decade now, only wish we had it. I'm willing to setup wine just to use it. None of the alternatives give me all it does. And DVDShrink and DVDDecryptor are just handy for backups of my DVD collection. I always rip them to drive with Thoggen and Acidrip anyway, but prefer to pack the originals away safe, and take copies when going to friends.

First of all, there's a version of unrar that's FOSS, which is called unrar-free. Seach it out.

Rar Labs also produces a command line unrar for linux, which while not free software, at least includes source code. It's better than having to use wine and is useful for rars that unrar-free doesn't support.

Well, on F13, nouveau worked with my NVIDIA videocard. Unfortunately, not all 3D games worked fine with it. The "complex ones" (like Unreal Tournament 2003) worked, some of the "simpler ones" like GLtron didn't. Hopefully in time it will become so well that it really can replace the NVIDIA driver...

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